Kevin Smith defended Chris Pratt's "thoughts and prayers" comment

After filmmaker and beloved geek icon Kevin Smith shared he suffered a “widow-maker” heart attack on February 26th, fellow Hollywood star Chris Pratt sent his prayers via Twitter. Pratt obviously meant nothing but the best with his tweet, but his words ultimately sparked a debate. Many argued that prayer had nothing to do with Smith’s survival and that it came down to the doctors and nurses who treated him. And Smith officially came to Pratt’s defense in a February 27th Facebook Live video.

For some background, Pratt’s initial tweet read, “Kevin we don’t know each other too good but I have loved you since Clerks and praying my ass off for you cause I believe in the healing power of prayer.” He then asked his followers to join him in praying for Smith’s recovery.

Although many didn’t hesitate to also share their well wishes and prayers, others found Pratt’s sentiment insulting to those in the medical profession. The argument amongst Pratt’s followers blew up to the point where people on the outside, like Pratt’s Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn, stepped in to throw water on the fire.

Kevin we don’t know each other too good but I have loved you since Clerks and I’m praying my ass off for you cause I believe in the healing power of prayer. Can you please pray with me people!? 🙏♥️ https://t.co/syB7BiQaoY

So I just read Chris Pratt’s tweet to Kevin Smith saying he would pray for him & made the mistake of reading the comments, many of which go off on Chris for saying he’d pray. I think people misunderstand the backlash against “thoughts & prayers.” (thread)

5 But no one expects Chris Pratt to shoulder doctors out of the way and perform heart surgery on Kevin Smith. Nor does Kevin need Chris to pay his medical bills. So I think his prayers are appreciated, and about all he can do.

Smith addressed the debacle head-on in a recent Facebook Live session.

"Poor Chris Pratt, one of my favorite actors on the planet, f—ing put up a nice tweet, where he’s just like, 'Hey man, I don't know you that much but I love Clerks and I’m praying for you,' and and apparently people were like, 'F— your prayers' and attacked him and s—," Smith said in his live video. "And then James Gunn had to jump into it and be like, 'Ain’t nothing wrong with praying for a person, man.'"

Smith continued,

"And number one, thanks to Chris Pratt, how sweet was that? Number two, please don't fight over stuff like that. It's a waste of time. Whether you’re religious or not, someone saying 'I’ll pray for you,' it’s good intentions."